Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi holds meeting in UK Prime Minister’s Office

LONDON-SHARJAH: Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Centre, SMC, on Saturday held a meeting with the UK Government News Planner, Robin Gordon-Farleigh, at 10 Downing Street, as part of a series of meetings in Europe. The meeting, which was also attended by Osama Samra, Director of Sharjah Media Centre, discussed the key elements of the government planning 'grid' that consists of strategy, message and systems, which was first introduced and implemented in the U.K. The discussions revolved around the importance of the grid with its strategic contribution to the Prime Minister’s diary and the coordination and planning of government communication. Sheikh Sultan discussed initiatives launched by SMC and looked into opportunities to enhance the significant role of government communication in Sharjah, primarily through its government agenda. Sharjah Media Centre will be hosting Robin Gordon-Farleigh at the International Government Communication Forum, to be held from February 22nd-24th, 2015. Sheikh Sultan said, "We have seen great changes since the establishment of Sharjah Media Centre and the government communication programme. Up to date, we can say that since 2011, we have increased Sharjah’s presence in the media landscape by 40 percent with steady growth with each year. "To boost our presence in the global landscape, we are working on the implementation of the grid agenda, customised to the requirements of Sharjah and supporting its vision. The next phase is to implement the system we are working on in the form of practical steps that seek to develop the local government communication system and government agenda and we hope to launch the agenda towards the end of this year." He added, "Thanks to the support and guidance of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate is leading with its efforts in government communication. And with the involvement of its 50 authorities and with our strategic partnerships, we are aiming to set an example for the region. We are keen to cooperate with experts and involve them through our initiatives that support sharing the rich contents and efforts of the emirate and develop our community." Osama Samra noted that the core of the grid is to set the emirate’s agenda and coordinate announcements across the government. He said, "It manages the news cycle and looks wider than just about Government activities." Samra concluded, "We are keen on providing government communication in a coordinated and planned manner to highlight the best of our emirate. We innovate in Sharjah through culture and education, that builds the heart of our communication." – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395270827387.html